Polyester polycarbonate compositions, methods of making, and articles formed therefrom

ABSTRACT

A composition comprises a polyester-polycarbonate polymer comprising isophthalate-terephthalate-resorcinol ester units and carbonate units, a first polyester selected from poly(ethylene terephthalate), poly(ethylene isophthalate), or a combination thereof, and a second polyester comprising butylene terephthalate units, cyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate units, or a combination of cyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate units and ethylene terephthalate units. The composition can be extruded into pellets that are clear and colorless. The composition can further be molded into articles having a percent haze value less than or equal to 10 percent, and total luminous transmittance value of greater than or equal to 70 percent, measured in accordance with ASTM D1003-00. Also disclosed is a method for forming the compositions, and articles prepared therefrom.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure relates to polyester polycarbonate compositions, methodsof making them, and articles formed therefrom.

Polyesters can be blended with other miscible or immiscible polymers toimprove various properties of the polyester. Specifically, polyesterscan be blended with polycarbonates to provide improved mechanicalproperties such as impact strength, and/or can also be added to improverheological properties such as melt volume rate. However, otherproperties of the polyester, specifically optical properties, can beadversely affected by forming a blend. Such polyester blends can have ahazy appearance, with diminished light transmittance. Miscible blends,that is, blends that have substantially a single phase, tend to haveless haze. It has been difficult, however, to develop blends ofpolyesters and polycarbonates that have sufficient miscibility toprovide good optical properties, while maintaining other advantageousproperties of the blends.

There accordingly remains a need in the art for miscible polyesterpolycarbonate compositions comprising polycarbonate and polyester, inparticular polyester polycarbonate compositions having high transparencyand low haze. It would be a further advantage if the compositions hadother advantageous properties such as weatherability, barrier andchemical resistance

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above deficiencies in the art are alleviated by a compositioncomprising from 1 to 85 weight percent of a polyester-polycarbonatepolymer of the formula

wherein each R^(f) is independently a halogen atom, a C₁₋₁₂ hydrocarbongroup, or a halogen-substituted C₁₋₁₂ hydrocarbon group, p is 0 to 4, mand n are each greater than 1, and each R¹ is independently a C₆₋₃₀aromatic hydrocarbon group; from 1 to 90 weight percent of poly(ethyleneterephthalate), poly(ethylene isophthalate), or a combination thereof,as a first polyester; from 1 to 90 weight percent of a second polyestercomprising butylene terephthalate units, cyclohexanedimethyleneterephthalate units, or a combination of cyclohexanedimethyleneterephthalate units and ethylene terephthalate units; wherein all weightpercents are based on the total weight of the composition.

In another embodiment, a composition comprises from 5 to 75 weightpercent of a polyester-polycarbonate polymer of the formula

wherein each R^(f) is independently a halogen atom, a C₁₋₂ hydrocarbongroup, or a halogen-substituted C₁₋₁₂ hydrocarbon group, p is 0 to 4,each R¹ is independently a C₆₋₃₀ aromatic hydrocarbon group, m is 2 to500, and n is 2 to 500; from 5 to 85 weight percent of poly(ethyleneterephthalate), poly(ethylene isophthalate), or a combination thereof,as a first polyester; from 5 to 85 weight percent of a second polyesterconsisting essentially of 1,4-butylene terephthalate units,cyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate units, or a combination ofcyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate units and ethylene terephthalateunits; wherein all weight percents are based on the total weight of thecomposition.

In another embodiment, a composition comprises from 5 to 90 weightpercent poly(isophthalate-terephthalate-resorcinolester)-co-(bisphenol-A carbonate); from 10 to 75 weight percentpoly(ethylene terephthalate); and from 1 to 40 weight percentpoly(1,4-butylene terephthalate); wherein all weight percents are basedon the total weight of the composition; and further wherein an articlemolded from the composition has a percent haze value of less than orequal to 10 percent, and a total luminous transmittance value of greaterthan or equal to 70 percent, each measured according to ASTM D1003-00.

In another embodiment, a composition comprises from 5 to 90 weightpercent poly(isophthalate-terephthalate-resorcinolester)-co-(bisphenol-A carbonate); from 5 to 85 weight percentpoly(ethylene terephthalate); and from 5 to 85 weight percentpoly(ethylene terephthalate)-co-poly(1,4-cyclohexanedimethyleneterephthalate), wherein the poly(ethyleneterephthalate)-co-poly(1,4-cyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate)comprises from 60 to 80 mole percent ethylene terephthalate units andfrom 20 to 40 mole percent 1,4-cyclohexanedimethylene terephthalateunits; wherein all weight percents are based on the total weight of thecomposition; and further wherein an article molded from the compositionhas a percent haze value of less than or equal to 10 percent, and atotal luminous transmittance value of greater than or equal to 70percent, each measured according to ASTM D1003-00.

In another embodiment, a composition comprises from 5 to 90 weightpercent poly(isophthalate-terephthalate-resorcinolester)-co-(bisphenol-A carbonate); from 1 to 30 weight percentpoly(ethylene terephthalate); and from 10 to 85 weight percentpoly(ethylene terephthalate)-co-poly(1,4-cyclohexanedimethyleneterephthalate); wherein the poly(ethyleneterephthalate)-co-poly(1,4-cyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate)comprises from 10 to 30 mole percent ethylene terephthalate units andfrom 70 to 90 mole percent 1,4-cyclohexanedimethylene terephthalateunits; wherein all weight percents are based on the total weight of thecomposition; and further wherein an article molded from the compositionhas a percent haze value of less than or equal to 10 percent, and atotal luminous transmittance value of greater than or equal to 70percent, each measured according to ASTM D1003-00.

In another embodiment, a composition comprises from 70 to 90 weightpercent poly(isophthalate-terephthalate-resorcinolester)-co-(bisphenol-A carbonate); from 1 to 20 weight percentpoly(ethylene terephthalate); and from 1 to 20 weight percentpoly(1,4-cyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate); wherein all weightpercents are based on the total weight of the composition; and furtherwherein an article molded from the composition has a percent haze valueof less than or equal to 10 percent, and a total luminous transmittancevalue of greater than or equal to 70 percent, each measured according toASTM D1003-00.

In another embodiment, a method of forming a composition comprises meltblending the components of the above composition.

In another embodiment, an article comprising the composition isdisclosed.

The above described and other features are exemplified by the followingdetailed description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Surprisingly, it has been found that a composition comprising, inspecific ratios, a blend of a polyester-polycarbonate polymer havingisophthalate terephthalate resorcinol ester units (ITR) and carbonateunits, a first polyester selected from poly(ethylene terephthalate),poly(ethylene isophthalate), or a combination thereof, and a secondpolyester comprising butylene terephthalate units,cyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate units, or a combination ofcyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate units and ethylene terephthalateunits, has a low haze value and a high total luminous transmittancevalue. The blend of these polymers can be extruded to providetransparent pellets when the amount of the polyester-polycarbonatepolymer is from 1 to 85 weight percent (wt %), the amount of the firstpolyester is from 1 to 90 wt %, and the amount of the second polyesteris from 1 to 90 wt %.

The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unlessthe context clearly dictates otherwise. The terms “first,” “second,” andthe like herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, butrather are used to distinguish one element from another. The term“combination thereof” means that one or more of the listed components ispresent, optionally together with one or more like components notlisted. Unless defined otherwise, technical and scientific terms usedherein have the same meaning as is commonly understood by one of skill.Compounds are described using standard nomenclature.

Other than in the operating examples or where otherwise indicated, allnumbers or expressions referring to quantities of ingredients, reactionconditions, and the like, used in the specification and claims are to beunderstood as modified in all instances by the term “about.” Variousnumerical ranges are disclosed in this patent application. Because theseranges are continuous, they include every value between the minimum andmaximum values. Unless expressly indicated otherwise, the variousnumerical ranges specified in this application are approximations. Theendpoints of all ranges directed to the same component or property areinclusive of the endpoint and independently combinable.

All ASTM tests and data are from the 2003 edition of the Annual Book ofASTM Standards unless otherwise indicated.

The composition comprises a polyester-polycarbonate polymer, also knownas polyester carbonate, copolyester-polycarbonate, andcopolyestercarbonate. The polyester-polycarbonate polymer comprises ITRester units and carbonate units of the formula (1)

wherein each R^(f) is independently a halogen atom, a C₁₋₁₂ hydrocarbongroup, or a halogen-substituted C₁₋₁₂ hydrocarbon group, p is 0 to 4,each R¹ is independently a C₆₋₃₀ hydrocarbon group wherein at least 60%of the R¹ groups are aromatic, and m and n are each independentlygreater than one. In an embodiment, m is 2 to 500, and n is 2 to 500.

In a specific embodiment, R^(f) in formula (1) is a C₁₋₃ alkyl group ora halogen-substituted C₁₋₃ allyl group, and p is 0 to 2. In anotherembodiment, p is zero.

The ITR ester units can be derived from the reaction of a mixture ofterephthalic acid and isophthalic acid or a chemical equivalent thereofwith a compound such as resorcinol, 5-methyl resorcinol, 5-ethylresorcinol, 5-propyl resorcinol, 5-butyl resorcinol, 5-t-butylresorcinol, 2,4,5-trifluoro resorcinol, 2,4,6-trifluoro resorcinol,4,5,6-trifluoro resorcinol, 2,4,5-tribromo resorcinol, 2,4,6-tribromoresorcinol, 4,5,6-tribromo resorcinol, or a combination comprising atleast one of the foregoing compounds.

In another specific embodiment, R¹ in formula (1) is derived from adihydroxy compound of formula (2)

wherein each R^(a) and R^(b) is independently a halogen atom or a C₁₋₁₂alkyl, and u and v are each independently integers of 0 to 4. Also informula (2), X^(a) represents a bridging group connecting the twohydroxy-substituted aromatic groups, wherein the bridging group and thehydroxy substituent of each C₆ arylene group are disposed ortho, meta,or para (specifically para) to each other on the C₆ arylene group. Thebridging group X^(a) can be a single bond, —O—, —S—, —S(O)—, —S(O)₂—,—C(O)—, or a C₁₋₁₈ organic group. The C₁₋₁₈ organic bridging group canbe cyclic (including fused rings) or acyclic, aromatic (including fusedrings) or non-aromatic, and can further comprise heteroatoms such ashalogens, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, silicon, or phosphorous. The C₁₋₁₈organic group can be disposed such that the C₆ arylene groups connectedthereto are each connected to a common alkylidene carbon or to differentcarbons of the C₁₋₁₈ organic bridging group.

In one embodiment, R^(a) and R^(b) are each independently a halogen or aC₁₋₃ alkyl group, and u and v are each independently 0 to 1. In this orother embodiments, X^(a) is a C₁₋₁₈ alkylene group, a C₃₋₁₈cycloalkylene group, a fused C₆₋₁₈ cycloalkylene group, a group of theformula —B¹—W—B²— wherein B¹ and B² are the same or different C₁₋₆alkylene group and W is a C₃₋₁₂ cycloalkylidene group or a C₆₋₁₆ arylenegroup, a C₃₋₁₈ cycloalkylidene, a C₁₋₂₅ alkylidene of formula—C(R^(c))(R^(d))— wherein R^(c) and R^(d) are each independentlyhydrogen, C₁₋₁₂ alkyl, C₁₋₁₂ cycloalkyl, C₇₋₁₂ arylalkyl, C₁₋₁₂heteroalkyl, or cyclic C₇₋₁₂ heteroarylalkyl, or a group of the formula—C(═R^(e))— wherein R^(e) is a divalent C₁₋₁₂ hydrocarbon group.Exemplary groups of this type include methylene, cyclohexylmethylene,ethylidene, neopentylidene, and isopropylidene, as well as2-[2.2.1]-bicycloheptylidene, cyclohexylidene, cyclopentylidene,cyclododecylidene, and adamantylidene. The foregoing X^(a) groups can beunsubstituted or substituted with one or more halogens, C₁₋₂ alkylgroups, C₆₋₁₈ aromatic groups, and/or heteroatom containing groups, suchas ester, amide, and the like.

Some illustrative examples of specific aromatic dihydroxy compoundsinclude the following: 4,4′-dihydroxybiphenyl, 1,6-dihydroxynaphthalene,2,6-dihydroxynaphthalene, bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)methane,bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)diphenylmethane,bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-naphthylmethane, 1,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethane,1,1-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-phenylethane,2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-(3-hydroxyphenyl)propane,bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)phenylmethane,2,2-bis(4-hydroxy-3-bromophenyl)propane,1,1-bis(hydroxyphenyl)cyclopentane, 1,1-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)cyclohexane,1,1-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)isobutene,1,1-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)cyclododecane,trans-2,3-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-butene,2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)adamantine,alpha,alpha′-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)toluene,bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)acetonitrile,2,2-bis(3-methyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propane,2,2-bis(3-ethyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propane,2,2-bis(3-n-propyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propane,2,2-bis(3-isopropyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propane,2,2-bis(3-sec-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propane,2,2-bis(3-t-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propane,2,2-bis(3-cyclohexyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propane,2,2-bis(3-allyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propane,2,2-bis(3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl)propane,2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)hexafluoropropane,1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethylene,1,1-dibromo-2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethylene,1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(5-phenoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl)ethylene,4,4′-dihydroxybenzophenone, 3,3-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-butanone,1,6-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1,6-hexanedione, ethylene glycolbis(4-hydroxyphenyl)ether, bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)ether,bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)sulfide, bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)sulfoxide,bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)sulfone, 9,9-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)fluorine,2,7-dihydroxypyrene,6,6′-dihydroxy-3,3,3′,3′-tetramethylspiro(bis)indane (“spirobiindanebisphenol”), 3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexylidenebisphenol,3,3-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)phthalide, 2,6-dihydroxydibenzo-p-dioxin,2,6-dihydroxythianthrene, 2,7-dihydroxyphenoxathin,2,7-dihydroxy-9,10-dimethylphenazine, 3,6-dihydroxydibenzofuran,3,6-dihydroxydibenzothiophene, and 2,7-dihydroxycarbazole, resorcinol,substituted resorcinol compounds such as 5-methyl resorcinol, 5-ethylresorcinol, 5-propyl resorcinol, 5-butyl resorcinol, 5-t-butylresorcinol, 5-phenyl resorcinol, 5-cumyl resorcinol, 2,4,5,6-tetrafluororesorcinol, 2,4,5,6-tetrabromo resorcinol, or the like; catechol;hydroquinone; substituted hydroquinones such as 2-methyl hydroquinone,2-ethyl hydroquinone, 2-propyl hydroquinone, 2-butyl hydroquinone,2-t-butyl hydroquinone, 2-phenyl hydroquinone, 2-cumyl hydroquinone,2,3,5,6-tetramethyl hydroquinone, 2,3,5,6-tetra-t-butyl hydroquinone,2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro hydroquinone, 2,3,5,6-tetrabromo hydroquinone, andthe like, as well as combinations comprising at least one of theforegoing dihydroxy compounds, 1-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)methane,1,1-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethane, 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane(hereinafter “bisphenol A” or “BPA”), 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)butane,2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)octane, 1,1-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane,1,1-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)n-butane,2,2-bis(4-hydroxy-1-methylphenyl)propane,1,1-bis(4-hydroxy-t-butylphenyl)propane,3,3-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)phthalimidine,2-phenyl-3,3-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)phthalimidine (PPPBP), and1,1-bis(4-hydroxy-3-methylphenyl)cyclohexane (DMBPC). Combinationscomprising at least one of the foregoing dihydroxy compounds can also beused. In one specific embodiment, R¹ is derived from bisphenol A.

In one embodiment, the ratio of ITR ester units (in) to the carbonateunits (n) in the polyester-polycarbonate is 35:65 to 99:1. In anotherembodiment, the ratio of m to n is 80:20 to 99:1.

In a specific embodiment of the polyester-polycarbonate polymer offormula (1), R^(f) is a C₁₋₃ alkyl group or a halogen-substituted C₁₋₃allyl group, p is 0 to 2, R^(a) and R^(b) are each independently ahalogen or a C₁₋₃ allyl group, u and v are each independently 0 to 1,and X^(a) is a C₁₋₂₅ alkylidene of formula —C(R^(c))(R^(d))— whereinR^(c) and R^(d) are each independently hydrogen, C₁₋₁₂ allyl, or C₇₋₁₂arylalkyl. In another embodiment, p is zero, u and v are each zero, andX^(a) is a C₁₋₁₃ alkylidene of formula —C(R^(c))(R^(d))— wherein R^(c)and R^(d) are each independently hydrogen or C₁₋₆ alkyl, specificallymethyl.

Chain stoppers (also referred to as capping agents), which limitmolecular weight growth rate during manufacture of the polymer can beused. Suitable chain stoppers include monophenolic compounds such asphenol, p-cumyl-phenol, p-tertiary-butyl phenol, and hydroxy diphenyl,monoethers of hydroquinones such as p-methoxyphenol, alkyl-substitutedphenols including those with branched chain alkyl substituents having 8to 9 carbon atoms, mono-phenolic UV absorber such as4-substituted-2-hydroxybenzophenone, aryl salicylate, monoesters ofdiphenols such as resorcinol monobenzoate,2-(2-hydroxyaryl)-benzotriazole, 2-(2-hydroxyaryl)-1,3,5-triazines, andthe like; monocarboxylic acid chlorides such as benzoyl chloride, C₁₋₂₂alkyl-substituted benzoyl chlorides (e.g., 4-methylbenzoyl chloride),halogen-substituted benzoyl chlorides (e.g., bromobenzoyl chloride),cinnamoyl chloride, 4-nadimidobenzoyl chloride, trimellitic anhydridechloride, and chlorides of aliphatic monocarboxylic acids with up to 22carbon atoms; and monochloroformates such as phenyl chloroformate, C₁₋₂₂alkyl-substituted phenyl chloroformate, p-cumyl phenyl chloroformate,toluene chloroformate, and the like. Specific monophenolic chainstoppers include phenol, p-cumylphenol, and resorcinol monobenzoate.

The polyester-polycarbonate polymers can have a weight-averagedmolecular weight (Mw) of 1,500 to 100,000 atomic mass units,specifically 1,700 to 50,000 atomic mass units, and more specifically2,000 to 40,000 atomic mass units. Molecular weight determinations areperformed using gel permeation chromatography (GPC), using a crosslinkedstyrene-divinylbenzene column and calibrated to polystyrene references.Samples are prepared at a concentration of about 1 mg/ml, and are elutedat a flow rate of about 1.0 ml/min.

The poly(isophthalate-terephthalate-resorcinol ester)s can be obtainedby interfacial polymerization or melt-process condensation, by solutionphase condensation, or by transesterification polymerization. It ispossible to use a branched poly(isophthalate-terephthalate-resorcinolester)s in which a branching agent, for example, a glycol having threeor more hydroxyl groups or a trifunctional or multifunctional carboxylicacid has been incorporated. Furthermore, it is sometimes desirable tohave various concentrations of acid and hydroxyl end groups on thepoly(isophthalate-terephthalate-resorcinol ester)s, depending on theultimate end use of the composition.

The poly(isophthalate-terephthalate-resorcinol ester)s can then bereacted with a carbonate precursor in the presence of a suitabledihydroxy compound such as an aromatic diol of formula (2). Suitablecarbonate precursors include, for example, a carbonyl halide such ascarbonyl bromide or carbonyl chloride, or a haloformate such as abishaloformates of a dihydric phenol (e.g., the bischloroformates ofbisphenol A, hydroquinone, or the like) or a glycol (e.g., thebishaloformate of ethylene glycol, neopentyl glycol, polyethyleneglycol, or the like). Combinations comprising at least one of theforegoing types of carbonate precursors can also be used. It is alsodesirable to include a chain stopper in addition to the dihydroxycompound.

In a specific embodiment, a poly(isophthalate-terephthalate-resorcinolester) is prepared by solution phase condensation, i.e., is prepared bycontacting a mixture of isophthalic acid and terephthalic acid withresorcinol in a suitable solvent. To the resulting mixture is then addedBPA, phenol (chain stopper), and phosgene (carbonyl chloride, acarbonate precursor). Poly(isophthalate-terephthalate-resorcinolester)-co-(bisphenol-A carbonate) is thus produced.

The first polyester can be selected from poly(ethylene terephthalate),poly(ethylene isophthalate), or a combination thereof, (11)

In an advantageous embodiment, the first polyester is poly(ethyleneterephthalate) (PET).

The second polyester comprises butylene terephthalate units,cyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate units, or a combination ofcyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate units and ethylene terephthalateunits. Second polyesters suitable herein can be selected frompoly(1,4-butylene terephthalate) (PBT), poly(1,3-butyleneterephthalate), poly(1,2-butylene terephthalate), poly(1,1-butyleneterephthalate), poly(1,3-2-methylpropylene terephthalate),poly(1,2-2-methylpropylene terephthalate), poly(cyclohexyldimethyleneterephthalate) (PCT), or poly(ethyleneterephthalate)-co-(1,4-cyclohexyldimethylene terephthalate), abbreviatedas PETG where the polymer comprises greater than 50 mol % of ethyleneterephthalate ester units, and abbreviated as PCTG where the polymercomprises greater than 50 mol % of 1,4-cyclohexyldimethyleneterephthalate ester units. A combination comprising at least one of theforegoing second polyesters is also suitable. In one embodiment, thepoly(ethylene terephthalate)-co-(1,4-cyclohexyldimethyleneterephthalate) comprises 10 to 90 mole percent ethylene terephthalateunits and 10 to 90 mole percent 1,4-cyclohexyldimethylene terephthalateunits. Additionally, up to 30 mole percent of isophthalate units can bepresent along with terephthalate units in both PCTG and PETG, based onthe total moles of isophthalate and terephthalate units. Where1,4-cyclohexyldimethylene units are present, a mixture of cis- totrans-isomers in ratios of about 1:4 to about 4:1 can be used.Specifically, a ratio of cis- to trans-isomers of about 1:3 can beuseful.

In a specific embodiment, the second polyester is PCT. In anotherspecific embodiment, the second polyester is PBT. In another specificembodiment, the second polyester is PETG. In yet another specificembodiment, the second polyester is PCTG.

The polyesters can be obtained by interfacial polymerization ormelt-process condensation, by solution phase condensation, or bytransesterification polymerization wherein, for example, a dialkyl estersuch as dimethyl terephthalate can be transesterified with 1,4-butanediol using acid catalysis, to generate poly(1,4-butylene terephthalate).It is possible to use a branched polyester in which a branching agent,for example, a glycol having three or more hydroxyl groups or atrifunctional or multifunctional carboxylic acid has been incorporated.Furthermore, it is sometime desirable to have various concentrations ofacid and hydroxyl end groups on the polyester, depending on the ultimateend use of the composition. The polyesters described herein aregenerally completely miscible with the polyester-polycarbonate polymerswhen blended.

The polyester-polycarbonate polymer is present in the composition in anamount of 1 to 85 weight percent. In one embodiment, thepolyester-polycarbonate polymer is present in the composition in anamount of 5 to 75 weight percent. In another embodiment, thepolyester-polycarbonate polymer is present in the composition in anamount of 5 to 90 weight percent. In another embodiment, thepolyester-polycarbonate polymer is present in the composition in anamount of 70 to 90 weight percent. All weight percents are based on thetotal weight of the composition.

The first polyester is present in the composition in an amount of 1 to90 weight percent. In one embodiment, the first polyester is present inthe composition in an amount of 5 to 85 weight percent. In anotherembodiment, the first polyester is present in the composition in anamount of 10 to 75 weight percent. In another embodiment, the firstpolyester is present in the composition in an amount of 5 to 85 weightpercent. In another embodiment, the first polyester is present in thecomposition in an amount of 10 to 30 weight percent. In yet anotherembodiment, the first polyester is present in the composition in anamount of 1 to 20 weight percent. All weight percents are based on thetotal weight of the composition.

The second polyester is present in the composition in an amount of 1 to90 weight percent. In one embodiment, the second polyester is present inthe composition in an amount of 5 to 85 weight percent. In anotherembodiment, the polyester is present in the composition in an amount of1 to 40 weight percent. In another embodiment, the polyester is presentin the composition in an amount of 10 to 85 weight percent. In yetanother embodiment, the polyester is present in the composition in anamount of 1 to 20 weight percent. All weight percents are based on thetotal weight of the composition.

In addition to the polyester-polycarbonate polymer, the first polyester,and the second polyester, the composition can include various otheradditives ordinarily incorporated with compositions of this type, suchas an antioxidant, a heat stabilizer, a light stabilizer, an ultravioletlight absorber, a plasticizer, a mold release agent, a lubricant, anantistatic agent, a pigment, a dye, a flame retardant, a quencher or agamma stabilizer. Mixtures of the foregoing additives can be used. Suchadditives can be mixed at a suitable time during the mixing of thecomponents for forming the composition.

The composition can comprise a colorant such as a pigment and/or dyeadditive. Suitable pigments include for example, inorganic pigments suchas metal oxides and mixed metal oxides such as zinc oxide, titaniumdioxides, iron oxides or the like; sulfides such as zinc sulfides, orthe like; aluminates; sodium sulfo-silicates, sulfates, chromates, orthe like; carbon blacks; zinc ferrites; ultramarine blue; Pigment Brown24; Pigment Red 101; Pigment Yellow 119; organic pigments such as azos,di-azos, quinacridones, perylenes, naphthalene tetracarboxylic acids,flavanthrones, isoindolinones, tetrachloroisoindolinones,anthraquinones, anthanthrones, dioxazines, phthalocyanines, and azolakes; Pigment Blue 60, Pigment Red 122, Pigment Red 149, Pigment Red177, Pigment Red 179, Pigment Red 202, Pigment Violet 29, Pigment Blue15, Pigment Blue 15:4, Pigment Blue 28, Pigment Green 7, Pigment Yellow147 and Pigment Yellow 150, or combinations comprising at least one ofthe foregoing pigments. Pigments can be used in amounts of 0.01 to 10percent by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.

Suitable dyes can be organic materials and include, for example,coumarin dyes such as coumarin 460 (blue), coumarin 6 (green), nile redor the like; lanthanide complexes; hydrocarbon and substitutedhydrocarbon dyes; polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon dyes; scintillationdyes such as oxazole or oxadiazole dyes; aryl- or heteroaryl-substitutedpoly (C₂₋₈) olefin dyes; carbocyanine dyes; indanthrone dyes;phthalocyanine dyes; oxazine dyes; carbostyryl dyes;napthalenetetracarboxylic acid dyes; porphyrin dyes; bis(styryl)biphenyldyes; acridine dyes; anthraquinone dyes; cyanine dyes; methine dyes;arylmethane dyes; azo dyes; indigoid dyes, thioindigoid dyes, diazoniumdyes; nitro dyes; quinone imine dyes; aminoketone dyes; tetrazoliumdyes; thiazole dyes; perylene dyes, perinone dyes;bis-benzoxazolylthiophene (BBOT); triarylmethane dyes; xanthene dyes;thioxanthene dyes; naphthalimide dyes; lactone dyes; fluorophores suchas anti-stokes shift dyes which absorb in the near infrared wavelengthand emit in the visible wavelength, or the like; luminescent dyes suchas 7-amino-4-methylcoumarin;3-(2′-benzothiazolyl)-7-diethylaminocoumarin;2-(4-biphenylyl)-5-(4-t-butylphenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole;2,5-bis-(4-biphenylyl)-oxazole; 2,2′-dimethyl-p-quaterphenyl;2,2-dimethyl-p-terphenyl; 3,5,3″″,5″″-tetra-t-butyl-p-quinquephenyl;2,5-diphenylfuran; 2,5-diphenyloxazole; 4,4′-diphenylstilbene;4-dicyanomethylene-2-methyl-6-(p-dimethylaminostyryl)-4H-pyran;1,1′-diethyl-2,2′-carbocyanine iodide;3,3′-diethyl-4,4′,5,5′-dibenzothiatricarbocyanine iodide;7-dimethylamino-1-methyl-4-methoxy-8-azaquinolone-2;7-dimethylamino-4-methylquinolone-2;2-(4-(4-dimethylaminophenyl)-1,3-butadienyl)-3-ethylbenzothiazoliumperchlorate; 3-diethylamino-7-diethyliminophenoxazonium perchlorate;2-(1-naphthyl)-5-phenyloxazole; 2,2′-p-phenylen-bis(5-phenyloxazole);rhodamine 700; rhodamine 800; pyrene; chrysene; rubrene; coronene, orthe like, or combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing dyes.Dyes can be used in amounts of 0.01 to 10 percent by weight, based onthe total weight of the composition, where the use of the dyes does notsignificantly adversely affect the desired properties of thecomposition.

The composition can further comprise an antioxidant. Suitableantioxidant additives include, for example, organophosphites such astris(nonyl phenyl)phosphite, tris(2,4-di-t-butylphenyl)phosphite,bis(2,4-di-t-butylphenyl)pentaerythritol diphosphite, distearylpentaerythritol diphosphite or the like; alkylated monophenols orpolyphenols; alkylated reaction products of polyphenols with dienes,such astetrakis[methylene(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyhydrocinnamate)]methane,or the like; butylated reaction products of para-cresol ordicyclopentadiene; alkylated hydroquinones; hydroxylated thiodiphenylethers; alkylidene-bisphenols; benzyl compounds; esters ofbeta-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)-propionic acid with monohydricor polyhydric alcohols; esters ofbeta-(5-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-3-methylphenyl)-propionic acid withmonohydric or polyhydric alcohols; esters of thioalkyl or thioarylcompounds such as distearylthiopropionate, dilaurylthiopropionate,ditridecylthiodipropionate,octadecyl-3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate,pentaerythrityl-tetrakis[3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionateor the like; amides ofbeta-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)-propionic acid or the like, orcombinations comprising at least one of the foregoing antioxidants.Antioxidants can be used in amounts of 0.0001 to 1 percent by weight,based on the total weight of the composition.

Suitable heat stabilizer additives include, for example,organophosphites such as triphenyl phosphite,tris-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)phosphite, tris-(mixed mono- anddi-nonylphenyl)phosphite or the like; phosphonates such asdimethylbenzene phosphonate or the like, phosphates such as trimethylphosphate, or the like, or combinations comprising at least one of theforegoing heat stabilizers. Heat stabilizers can be used in amounts of0.0001 to 1 percent by weight, based on the total weight of thecomposition.

Suitable quenchers include zinc phosphate, mono zinc phosphate,phosphorous acid or phosphoric acid (diluted in water), sodium acidpyrophosphate and other phosphorous based compounds. Quenchers are notrestricted to just phosphorus-based compounds, they can also includesilicon-based compounds (such as tetrapropyl orthosilicate ortetrakis-(2-methoxyethoxy)silane). Sometimes they could also includecompounds such as sodium lauryl sulphate, boric acid, citric acid,oxalic acid, and cyclic iminoether containing compounds. Quenchers canbe used in an amount that is at least 0.0001 based on the total weightof the polyester-polycarbonate polymer, the poly(C₄-alkyleneterephthalate) ester, and the polyester. In one suitable embodiment, theamount of the quencher can range from 0.0001 to 0.2 percent by weight,based on the total weight of the polyester-polycarbonate polymer, thepoly(C₄-alkylene terephthalate) ester, and the polyester

Light stabilizers and/or ultraviolet light (UV) absorbing additives canalso be used. Suitable light stabilizer additives include, for example,benzotriazoles such as 2-(2-hydroxy-5-methylphenyl)benzotriazole,2-(2-hydroxy-5-tert-octylphenyl)-benzotriazole and 2-hydroxy-4-n-octoxybenzophenone, or the like, or combinations comprising at least one ofthe foregoing light stabilizers. Light stabilizers can be used inamounts of 0.0001 to 1 percent by weight, based on the total weight ofthe composition.

Suitable ultraviolet light absorbers include for example,hydroxybenzophenones; hydroxybenzotriazoles; hydroxybenzotriazines;cyanoacrylates; oxanilides; benzoxazinones;2-(2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)-phenol (CYASORB®5411); 2-hydroxy-4-n-octyloxybenzophenone (CYASORB® 531);2-[4,6-bis(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl]-5-(octyloxy)-phenol(CYASORB® 1164); 2,2′-(1,4-phenylene)bis(4H-3,1-benzoxazin-4-one)(CYASORB® UV-3638);1,3-bis[(2-cyano-3,3-diphenylacryloyl)oxy]-2,2-bis[[(2-cyano-3,3-diphenylacryloyl)oxy]methyl]propane(UVINUL® 3030); 2,2′-(1,4-phenylene) bis(4H-3,1-benzoxazin-4-one);1,3-bis[(2-cyano-3,3-diphenylacryloyl)oxy]-2,2-bis[[(2-cyano-3,3-diphenylacryloyl)oxy]methyl]propane;nano-size inorganic materials such as titanium oxide, cerium oxide, andzinc oxide, all with particle size less than 100 nanometers; or thelike, or combinations comprising at least one of the foregoingultraviolet light absorbers. Ultraviolet light absorbers can be used inamounts of 0.0001 to 1 percent by weight, based on the total weight ofthe composition.

Plasticizers, lubricants, and/or mold release agents additives can alsobe used. There is considerable overlap among these types of materials,which include, for example, phthalic acid esters such asdioctyl-4,5-epoxy-hexahydrophthalate;tris-(octoxycarbonylethyl)isocyanurate; tristearin; di- orpolyfunctional aromatic phosphates such as resorcinol tetraphenyldiphosphate (RDP), the bis(diphenyl)phosphate of hydroquinone and thebis(diphenyl)phosphate of bisphenol-A; poly-alpha-olefins; epoxidizedsoybean oil; silicones, including silicone oils; esters, for example,fatty acid esters such as allyl stearyl esters, e.g., methyl stearate;stearyl stearate, pentaerythritol tetrastearate, and the like; mixturesof methyl stearate and hydrophilic and hydrophobic nonionic surfactantscomprising polyethylene glycol polymers, polypropylene glycol polymers,and copolymers thereof, e.g., methyl stearate andpolyethylene-polypropylene glycol copolymers in a suitable solvent;waxes such as beeswax, montan wax, paraffin wax or the like. Suchmaterials can be used in amounts of 0.001 to 1 percent by weight,specifically 0.01 to 0.75 percent by weight, more specifically 0.1 to0.5 percent by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.

The term “antistatic agent” refers to monomeric, oligomeric, orpolymeric materials that can be processed into polymer resins and/orsprayed onto materials or articles to improve conductive properties andoverall physical performance. Examples of monomeric antistatic agentsinclude glycerol monostearate, glycerol distearate, glyceroltristearate, ethoxylated amines, primary, secondary and tertiary amines,ethoxylated alcohols, alkyl sulfates, alkylarylsulfates,alkylphosphates, alkylaminesulfates, alkyl sulfonate salts such assodium stearyl sulfonate, sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate or the like,quaternary ammonium salts, quaternary ammonium resins, imidazolinederivatives, sorbitan esters, ethanolamides, betaines, or the like, orcombinations comprising at least one of the foregoing monomericantistatic agents.

Exemplary polymeric antistatic agents include certain polyesteramidespolyether-polyamide (polyetheramide) block copolymers,polyetheresteramide block copolymers, polyetheresters, or polyurethanes,each containing polyalkylene glycol moieties polyalkylene oxide unitssuch as polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, polytetramethyleneglycol, and the like. Such polymeric antistatic agents are commerciallyavailable, for example Pelestat® 6321 (Sanyo) or Pebax® MH1657(Atofina), Irgastat® P18 and P22 (Ciba-Geigy). Other polymeric materialsthat can be used as antistatic agents are inherently conducting polymerssuch as polyaniline (commercially available as PANIPOL®EB from Panipol),polypyrrole and polythiophene (commercially available from Bayer), whichretain some of their intrinsic conductivity after melt processing atelevated temperatures. Antistatic agents can be used in amounts of0.0001 to 5 percent by weight, based on the total weight of thecomposition.

In an embodiment, the foregoing additives are present in a total amountof less than or equal to 5 wt %, based on the total weight of thecomposition.

The composition can further comprise a polymer, for example a polymersuch as poly(1,4-cyclohexanedimethylene 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylate), apolyetherimide, a polycarbonate, or a combination thereof. In oneembodiment, the composition comprises less than 10 wt % of a polymerselected from poly(1,4-cyclohexanedimethylene1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylate), a polyetherimide, and a combinationthereof. In another embodiment, the composition comprises less than 5 wt% of a polycarbonate.

The composition can be manufactured by methods generally available inthe art, for example, in one embodiment, powderedpolyester-polycarbonate polymer, first polyester, second polyester, andother optional components including stabilizer packages (e.g.,antioxidants, gamma stabilizers, heat stabilizers, ultraviolet lightstabilizers, and the like) and/or other additives are first blended, forexample, in a HENSCHEL-Mixer® high speed mixer. Other low shearprocesses including but not limited to hand mixing can also accomplishthis blending. The blend is then fed into the throat of an extruder viaa hopper. Alternatively, one or more of the components can beincorporated into the composition by feeding directly into the extruderat the throat and/or downstream through a sidestuffer. Where desired,the polyester-polycarbonate polymer, first polyester, second polyester,and any desired polymer and/or additives can also be compounded into amasterbatch and combined with a desired polymeric resin and fed into theextruder. The extruder is generally operated at a temperature higherthan that necessary to cause the composition to flow. The extrudate isimmediately quenched in a water batch and pelletized. The pellets, soprepared, when cutting the extrudate can be one-fourth inch long or lessas desired. Such pellets can be used for subsequent molding, shaping, orforming.

In a specific embodiment, a method of preparing the compositioncomprises melt blending a polyester-polycarbonate polymer, a firstpolyester, and a second polyester. The melt blending can be done byextrusion.

In another specific embodiment, the composition is extruded using a 28mm twin-screw extruder with a vacuum vented mixing screw. The extruderis typically operated at a temperature of 200 to 300° C., specifically220 to 285° C., more specifically 240 to 270° C., wherein the dietemperature can be different. The extruded composition is quenched inwater and pelletized.

The extruded pellets formed from the composition have excellent opticalproperties. Thus in one embodiment, the extruded pellets comprising thecomposition are clear. In another embodiment, the extruded pelletscomprising the composition are colorless. In yet another embodiment, theextruded pellets comprising the composition are clear and colorless.

As such, one embodiment is a composition comprising from 1 to 85 weightpercent of a polyester-polycarbonate polymer of the formula (1) whereineach R^(f) is independently a halogen atom, a C₁₋₂ hydrocarbon group, ora halogen-substituted C₁₋₁₂ hydrocarbon group, p is 0 to 4, and each R¹is independently a C₆₋₃₀ aromatic hydrocarbon group; from 1 to 90 weightpercent of poly(ethylene terephthalate), poly(ethylene isophthalate), ora combination thereof, as a first polyester; from 1 to 90 weight percentof a second polyester comprising butylene terephthalate units,cyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate units, or a combination ofcyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate units and ethylene terephthalateunits; wherein all weight percents are based on the total weight of thecomposition; and further wherein an extruded pellet comprising thecomposition is clear.

Another embodiment is a composition comprising from 1 to 85 weightpercent of a polyester-polycarbonate polymer of the formula (1) whereineach R^(f) is independently a halogen atom, a C₁₋₁₂ hydrocarbon group,or a halogen-substituted C₁₋₁₂ hydrocarbon group, p is 0 to 4, and eachR¹ is independently a C₆₋₃₀ aromatic hydrocarbon group; from 1 to 90weight percent of poly(ethylene terephthalate), poly(ethyleneisophthalate), or a combination thereof, as a first polyester; from 1 to90 weight percent of a second polyester comprising butyleneterephthalate units, cyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate units, or acombination of cyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate units and ethyleneterephthalate units; wherein all weight percents are based on the totalweight of the composition; and further wherein an extruded pelletcomprising the composition is clear and colorless.

Articles can then be shaped, extruded, or molded from the composition.In particular, various known molding methods can be used, for example,injection molding, gas assist injection molding, vacuum molding,compression molding, rotary molding, and the like. Injection molding canbe advantageous. Examples of articles comprising the composition includelens covers, sheets, protective sheets, films, fibers, dishware, medicalapplications, automotive, garden equipment, sports and leisure articles,and the like.

Articles molded from the composition exhibit advantageous opticalproperties. Percent haze and total luminous transmittance, determined inaccordance with ASTM D1003-00, are used to describe the opticalproperties of the articles molded from the composition. An articlemolded from the composition has a percent haze value of less than orequal to 10 percent. Another article molded from the composition has atotal luminous transmittance value of greater than or equal to 70percent. Another article molded from the composition has a percent hazevalue of less than or equal to 10 percent and a total luminoustransmittance value of greater than or equal to 70 percent.

The compositions are further illustrated by the following non-limitingexamples.

EXAMPLES

The compositions were compounded on a Werner and Pfleider 28 millimetertwin screw extruder with a vacuum vented mixing screw, barrel and diehead temperatures between 240° C. and 265° C., and 150 to 300 rpm screwspeed. The extruder has eight (8) independent feeders and could beoperated at a maximum rate of 30 kilograms per hour. The extrudate wascooled through a water bath prior to pelletizing. Test parts wereinjection molded on a van Dorn molding machine with a temperature of240° C. to 265° C. The pellets were dried for 3 to 4 hours at 60°C.-120° C. in a forced air circulating oven prior to injection molding.

Polymer molecular weights were determined by gel permeationchromatography (GPC) using a crosslinked styrene-divinylbenzene gelcolumn, a sample concentration of 1 milligram per milliliter, and wascalibrated using polycarbonate standards. Percent haze (Haze), totalluminous transmittance (% T), and yellowing index (YI) were measured on2.5 millimeter plaques according to ASTM D1003-00 using a Haze-GuardDual, obtained from BYK-Gardner.

Compositions for the examples and comparative examples were preparedusing the components shown in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Component Description Source 90:10 ITR-PC Poly(90 mol %isophthalate-terephthalate- GE resorcinol)-co-(10 mol % bisphenol-APlastics carbonate) copolymer (Mw = 40,000 g/mol, PS standards) PBTPoly(butylene terephthalate) (Mw = 105,000 GE g/mol, PS standard)Plastics PET Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (Mw = 88,000 DuPont g/mol, PSstandards) Chemical PETG Poly(70 mol % ethylene terephthalate)-co-Eastman (30 mol % 1,4-cyclohexanedimethylene Chemical terephthalate) (Mw= 70,000 g/mol, PS standards) PCTG Poly(20 mol % ethyleneterephthalate)-co- Eastman (80 mol % 1,4-cyclohexanedimethylene Chemicalterephthalate) (Mw = 70,000 g/mol, PS standards) PCTPoly(1,4-cyclohexanedimethylene Eastman terephthalate) (Mw = 70,000g/mol, Chemical PS standards)

Each of the ITR-PC polymers used herein was prepared according to thefollowing general procedure. A 30 liter round bottom reactor equippedwith a mechanical stirrer, pH electrode, condenser, and two additiontubes connected to metering pumps was charged with resorcinol (12.5 to25 mole percent (mol %) excess relative to the total moles of diacidchloride), water (to provide 34 to 35 wt % salts following preparationof the hydroxy-terminated polyester), methylene chloride (6 liters), andtriethylamine (2 mol %). The mixture was stirred with a 6-inch impellerat 300 to 350 rpm. One addition tube was connected to a solutionconsisting of a 50:50 mixture of isophthaloyl and terephthaloyl chlorideand enough methylene chloride to make an approximately 35 wt % diacidchloride solution. The other addition tube was connected to a 50 wt %aqueous sodium hydroxide solution. Over the course of 10 minutes, thediacid chloride solution containing 3.42 moles isophthaloyl dichlorideand 3.42 moles terephthaloyl dichloride, and 85 to 95 mol % of the NaOHsolution (based on diacid chloride) were added at constant molar flowrates to the reactor. Upon completion of the acid chloride addition, afurther amount of NaOH solution was added to the reactor over 3 minutesin order to adjust the pH to approximately 8.25, and the mixture wasallowed to stir for roughly 10 minutes. After formation of the resultinghydroxy-terminated polyesters was complete, phenol (3.4 mol % based ontotal bisphenol-A), bisphenol-A (BPA), water, and methylene chloridewere added to the mixture. The amount of BPA added was based upon theformula:Moles BPA added=6.84 moles diacid chloride×((mol % PC)/(mol % ITR))Wherein, for example, a polymer with a desired composition of 20 mol %carbonate units and 80 mol % ester units (i.e., 80:20 ITR-PC), uses anamount of BPA=6.84×20/80=1.71 moles BPA.

Prior to phosgenation, sufficient additional water was added to dissolveall of the sodium chloride present in the reaction mixture at the end offormation of the hydroxy-terminated polyester intermediate. Additionalmethylene chloride was introduced to provide a concentration of solidsin the organic phase at the end of phosgenation of 11 to 17 wt %.

The mixture comprising the hydroxy-terminated polyester, free phenol,free excess resorcinol, BPA, methylene chloride, sodium chloride, andtriethylamine (TEA) was then phosgenated in the same reactor used toprepare the hydroxy-terminated polyester intermediate. 1.4 equivalents(based on the total moles of free BPA) of phosgene and 50 wt % sodiumhydroxide solution (50 wt % NaOH) were then introduced at a constantrate over a period of 55 minutes while maintaining a pH of 8.5 until 60mol % of the stoichiometric amount of phosgene had been added (60 mol %BPA conversion). The pH was adjusted to 9.5 and the remaining phosgenewas added. Upon completion of phosgene addition, the reaction mixturewas stirred for several minutes. The methylene chloride solutioncontaining the product polyester-polycarbonate was separated from thebrine layer and washed twice with 1 N HCl, and four times with deionizedwater. The volumes of the aqueous washes were roughly equal to thevolume of the product polymer solution. The product was isolated byinjection of steam into a well-agitated mixture of hot water and themethylene chloride solution of the product polyester-polycarbonate. Theproduct was isolated as a white powder, was filtered and dried for 24hours at 80° C. to 100° C. The product polyester-polycarbonate wascharacterized by GPC (Mw, polystyrene molecular weight standards). Theanalytical results were consistent with the formation of blockpolyester-polycarbonates. NMR indicated that the productpolyester-polycarbonate was fully end capped as shown by the absence offree terminal hydroxy groups and acid end-groups.

Examples 1-60, represented as En wherein n corresponds to the number ofthe experiment, and comparative examples 1-12, represented as Cn whereinn corresponds to the number of the experiment, were prepared by meltblending 90:10 ITR-PC with PET and PBT, PETG, PCTG, or PCT according tothe method described above. The weight ratios used in the examples andcomparative examples are as described in Tables 2-5. All componentamounts are in weight percent, based on the total weight of thecomposition. The appearance column refers to the appearance of pelletsextruded from each composition before molding. The appearance isreported as clear, hazy, or opaque. Clear refers to compositions thatare clear and colorless, or clear and colored, that allow clear imagesto pass through them undistorted. Hazy refers to compositions that allowlight to pass through them, however images are blurred and/or distorted,or only partial images pass through them. Opaque compositions block alllight from passing through them. Percent haze and total luminoustransmittance are reported for molded articles of the compositions asdescribed above.

TABLE 2 Post extrusion PET PBT 90:10 ITR-PC appearance % T Haze C1 50 50— Opaque 10 99.4 C2 15 85 — Opaque 8.8 99.4 C3 85 15 — Hazy 36.7 92.9 E180 10 10 Hazy 76.2 9.9 E2 45 45 10 Hazy 24.5 99.3 E3 40 40 20 Hazy 53.281.2 E4 10 70 20 Hazy 16.2 99.3 E5 70 10 20 Clear 82.9 3.5 E6 35 35 30Clear 83.3 3.8 E7 10 60 30 Hazy 48.0 98.8 E8 60 10 30 Clear 81.0 6.4 E930 30 40 Clear 84.2 3.2 E10 25 25 50 Clear 84.9 2.6 E11 15 15 70 Clear85.4 2.1 E12 10 50 40 Clear 77.7 17.9 E13 10 40 50 Clear 85.4 2.7

TABLE 3 Post extrusion PET PETG 90:10 ITR-PC appearance % T Haze C4 5050 — Clear 79.6 21.7 C5 85 15 — Clear 78.6 9.3 C6 15 85 — Clear 85.9 2.9E14 10 80 10 Clear 86.1 2.4 E15 45 45 10 Clear 82.8 5.3 E16 80 10 10Clear 79.1 7.1 E17 40 40 20 Clear 83.3 4.6 E18 70 10 20 Clear 80 6.5 E1910 70 20 Clear 86.4 2.0 E20 35 35 30 Clear 83.7 3.5 E21 25 25 50 Clear84.0 4.7 E22 15 15 70 Clear 84.5 3.2 E23 60 10 30 Clear 74.8 9.0 E24 5010 40 Clear 81.6 3.3

TABLE 4 Post extrusion PET PCTG 90:10 ITR-PC appearance % T Haze C7 5050 — Clear 57.5 96.4 C8 85 15 — Clear 57.9 98.3 C9 15 85 — Clear 66.535.9 E25 10 80 10 Clear 77.3 8.2 E26 45 45 10 Clear 64.4 69.5 E27 80 1010 Clear 72.9 80.3 E28 40 40 20 Clear 68.2 35.3 E29 70 10 20 Clear 76.059.3 E30 10 70 20 Clear 80.9 4.7 E31 35 35 30 Clear 74.4 11.3 E32 60 1030 Clear 76.8 38.6 E33 10 60 30 Clear 84.3 2.3 E34 25 25 50 Clear 82.44.9 E35 15 15 70 Clear 84.9 2.2 E36 50 10 40 Clear 64.1 30.5 E37 30 3040 Clear 63.3 28.3 E38 10 50 40 Clear 83.6 3.6

TABLE 5 Post extrusion PET PCT 90:10 ITR-PC appearance % T Haze C10 5050 — Opaque — — C11 85 15 — Opaque 42.9 97.9 C12 15 85 — Opaque 27.099.2 E39 10 80 10 Opaque 27.4 99.2 E40 45 45 10 Opaque — — E41 80 10 10Opaque 50.9 96.3 E42 40 40 20 Opaque — — E43 70 10 20 Opaque — — E44 1070 20 Opaque 29.6 98.9 E45 35 35 30 Opaque — — E46 60 10 30 Hazy 57.696.8 E47 10 60 30 Hazy 38.5 91.6 E48 10 50 40 Hazy 43.8 76.0 E49 50 1040 Hazy 56.7 91.8 E50 20 40 40 Hazy 42.1 80.3 E51 40 20 40 Hazy 46.692.3 E52 25 25 50 Hazy 44.9 62.1 E53 15 35 50 Hazy 54.9 42.1 E54 35 1550 Hazy 51.1 73.8 E55 45 5 50 Hazy 67.3 50.6 E56 5 45 50 Clear 62.7 35.0E57 15 15 70 Clear 79.6 11.5 E58 5 25 70 Clear 42.9 99.0 E59 25 5 70Clear 52.0 76.5 E60 10 10 80 Clear 87.0  1.5

It can be seen from the data in Tables 2-5 that the extruded pelletscomprising three polymers, having a PET content of 1 to 90 weightpercent, a 90:10 ITR-PC content of 1 to 85 weight percent, and a contentof PETG, PCTG, PBT, or PCT of 1 to 90 weight percent, are mostly allclear. However, articles molded from the same compositions do not allexhibit a total luminous transmittance value higher than 70 percent, anda haze value lower than 10 percent.

Example 1, 5-6, 8-11, and 13 in Table 2 show that molded articles ofternary compositions comprising 5-90 weight percent 90:10 ITR-PC, 10 to75 weight percent PET, and 1 to 40 weight percent PBT have a totalluminous transmittance value higher than 70 percent, and a haze valuelower than 10 percent.

Examples 14-24 in Table 3 show that molded articles of ternarycompositions comprising 5 to 90 weight percent 90:10 ITR-PC, 5 to 85weight percent PET, and 5 to 85 weight percent PETG have a totalluminous transmittance value higher than 70 percent, and a haze valuelower than 10 percent.

Examples 25, 30, 33-35, and 38 in Table 4 show that molded articles ofternary compositions comprising 5 to 90 weight percent 90:10 ITR-PC, 1to 30 weight percent PET, and 10 to 85 weight percent PCTG have a totalluminous transmittance value higher than 70 percent, and a haze valuelower than 10 percent.

Example 60 in Table 5 shows that molded articles of ternary compositionscomprising 70 to 90 weight percent 90:10 ITR-PC, 1 to 20 weight percentPET, and 1 to 20 weight percent PCT have a total luminous transmittancevalue higher than 70 percent, and a haze value lower than 10 percent.

While typical embodiments have been set forth for the purpose ofillustration, the foregoing descriptions should not be deemed to be alimitation on the scope herein. Accordingly, various modifications,adaptations, and alternatives can occur to one skilled in the artwithout departing from the spirit and scope herein.

1. A composition comprising from 1 to 90 weight percent of a polyester-polycarbonate polymer of the formula

wherein each R is independently a halogen atom, a C₁₋₁₂ hydrocarbon group, or a halogen-substituted C₁₋₁₂ hydrocarbon group, p is 0 to 4, m and n are each 2 to 500, and each R¹ is independently a C₆₋₃₀ aromatic hydrocarbon group; from 1 to 90 weight percent of poly(ethylene terephthalate), poly(ethylene isophthalate), or a combination thereof, as a first polyester; from 1 to 90 weight percent of a second polyester comprising butylene terephthalate units, cyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate units, or a combination of 10 to 30 mole percent ethylene terephthalate units and from 70 to 90 mole percent 1,4-cyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate units; wherein all weight percents are based on the total weight of the composition, and wherein an article molded from the composition has a percent haze value of less than or equal to 10 percent, and a total luminous transmittance value of greater than or equal to 70 percent, each measured according to ASTM D1003-00.
 2. The composition of claim 1, wherein an extruded pellet derived from the composition and comprising the composition is clear.
 3. The composition of claim 2, wherein an extruded pellet derived from the composition and comprising the composition is further colorless.
 4. The composition of claim 1, wherein each R^(f) is independently a C₁₋₃ alkyl group or a halogen-substituted C₁₋₃ alkyl group, and p is 0 to
 2. 5. The composition of claim 1, wherein R¹ is derived from a bisphenol of the formula

wherein R^(a) and R^(b) are each independently a halogen or a C₁₋₁₂ alkyl, X^(a) is a C₁₋₁₈ alkylene, a C₁₋₁₈ alkylidene, a C₃₋₁₈ cycloalkylidene, or a C₉₋₁₈ fused cycloalkylidene-aromatic group, and u and v are each independently 0 to
 4. 6. The composition of claim 5, wherein R^(a) and R^(b) are each independently a halogen or a C₁₋₃ alkyl, X^(a) is a C₁₋₁₈ alkylidene or a C₃₋₁₈ cycloalkylidene, and u and v are each independently 0 to
 1. 7. The composition of claim 1, wherein the polyester-polycarbonate polymer is poly(isophthalate-terephthalate-resorcinol ester)-co-(bisphenol-A carbonate).
 8. The composition of claim 1, wherein the ratio of m to n in the polyester-polycarbonate polymer is in the range from 35:65 to 99:1.
 9. The composition of claim 1, wherein the ratio of m to n in the polyester-polycarbonate polymer is in the range from 80:20 to 99:1.
 10. The composition of claim 1, wherein m is an integer ranging from 2 to 500, and n is an integer ranging from 2 to
 500. 11. The composition of claim 1, wherein the polyester-polycarbonate polymer further comprises additional ester units different from the isophthalate-terephthalate-resorcinol ester units.
 12. The composition of claim 11, wherein the different ester units comprise isophthalate-terephthalate esters of dihydroxy compounds of the formula

wherein R^(a) and R^(b) are each independently a halogen or a C₁₋₁₂ alkyl, X^(a) is a C₁₋₁₈ alkylene, a C₁₋₁₈ alkylidene, a C₃₋₁₈ cycloalkylidene, or a C₉₋₁₈ fused cycloalkylidene-aromatic group, and u and v are each independently 0 to
 4. 13. The composition of claim 1, wherein the first polyester is poly(ethylene terephthalate).
 14. The composition of claim 1, wherein the second polyester is poly(1,4-butylene terephthalate).
 15. The composition of claim 1, wherein the second polyester is poly(1,4-cyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate).
 16. The composition of claim 1, wherein the second polyester is poly(ethylene terephthalate)-co-(1,4-cyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate).
 17. The composition of claim 1, wherein the poly(ethylene terephthalate)-co-(1,4-cyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate) comprises 10 to 90 mole percent ethylene terephthalate units and 10 to 90 mole percent 1,4-cyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate units, and further wherein the polyester comprises from 0 to 30 mole percent isophthalate units, based on the total moles of isophthalate and terephthalate units.
 18. The composition of claim 1, further comprising an additive selected from the group consisting of an antioxidant, heat stabilizer, light stabilizer, ultraviolet light absorber, plasticizer, mold release agent, lubricant, antistatic agent, pigment, dye, gamma stabilizer, and a combination thereof.
 19. The composition of claim 1, further comprising a quencher.
 20. The composition of claim 19, wherein the quencher is selected from the group consisting of zinc phosphate, mono zinc phosphate, phosphorous acid, phosphoric acid diluted in water, sodium acid pyrophosphate, tetrapropyl orthosilicate, tetrakis-(2-methoxyethoxy) silane), sodium lauryl sulphate, boric acid, citric acid, oxalic acid, a cyclic iminoether containing compound, and a combination thereof.
 21. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises less than 10 weight percent of a polymer selected from the group consisting of poly(1,4-cyclohexane-dimethylene 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylate), a polyetherimide, and a combination thereof.
 22. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises less than 5 weight percent of a polycarbonate.
 23. A composition comprising from 5 to 75 weight percent of a polyester-polycarbonate polymer of the formula

wherein each R^(f) is independently a halogen atom, a C₁₋₁₂ hydrocarbon group, or a halogen-substituted C₁₋₁₂ hydrocarbon group, p is 0 to 4, each R¹ is independently a C₆₋₃₀ aromatic hydrocarbon group, m is 2 to 500, and n is 2 to 500; from 5 to 85 weight percent of poly(ethylene terephthalate), poly(ethylene isophthalate), or a combination thereof, as a first polyester; from 5 to 85 weight percent of a second polyester consisting essentially of 1,4-butylene terephthalate units, cyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate units, or a combination of 10 to 30 mole percent ethylene terephthalate units and from 70 to 90 mole percent 1,4-cyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate units; wherein all weight percents are based on the total weight of the composition, and wherein an article molded from the composition has a percent haze value of less than or equal to 10 percent, and a total luminous transmittance value of greater than or equal to 70 percent, each measured according to ASTM D1003-00.
 24. The composition of claim 23, wherein each R^(f) is independently a alkyl group or a halogen-substituted C₁₋₃ alkyl group, and p is 0 to
 2. 25. The composition of claim 24, wherein R¹ is derived from a bisphenol of the formula

wherein R^(a) and R^(b) are each independently a halogen or a C₁₋₁₂ alkyl, X^(a) is a C₁₋₁₈ alkylene, a C₁₋₁₈ alkylidene, a C₃₋₁₈ cycloalkylidene, or a C₉₋₁₈ fused cycloalkylidene-aromatic group, and u and v are each independently 0 to
 4. 26. The composition of claim 23, wherein R^(a) and R^(b) are each independently a halogen or a C₁₋₃ alkyl, X^(a) is a C₁₋₁₈ alkylidene or a C₃₋₁₈ cycloalkylidene, and u and v are each independently 0 to
 1. 27. The composition of claim 23, wherein the polyester-polycarbonate polymer is poly(isophthalate-terephthalate-resorcinol ester)-co-(bisphenol-A carbonate).
 28. The composition of claim 23, wherein the ratio of m to n in the polyester-polycarbonate polymer is in the range from 35:65 to 99:1.
 29. The composition of claim 23, wherein the ratio of m to n in the polyester-polycarbonate polymer is in the range from 80:20 to 99:1.
 30. The composition of claim 23, wherein m is an integer ranging from 2 to 500, and n is an integer ranging from 2 to
 500. 31. The composition of claim 23, wherein the polyester-polycarbonate polymer further comprises additional ester units different from the isophthalate-terephthalate-resorcinol ester units.
 32. The composition of claim 31, wherein the different ester units comprise isophthalate-terephthalate esters of dihydroxy compounds of the formula

wherein R^(a) and R^(b) are each independently a halogen or a C₁₋₁₂ alkyl, X^(a) is a C₁₋₁₈ alkylene, a C₁₋₁₈ alkylidene, a C₃₋₁₈ cycloalkylidene, or a C₉₋₁₈ fused cycloalkylidene-aromatic group, and u and v are each independently 0 to
 4. 33. The composition of claim 23, wherein the first polyester is poly(ethylene terephthalate).
 34. The composition of claim 23, wherein the second polyester is poly(1,4-butylene terephthalate).
 35. The composition of claim 23, wherein the second polyester is poly(1,4-cyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate).
 36. The composition of claim 23, wherein the second polyester is poly(ethylene terephthalate)-co-(1,4-cyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate).
 37. The composition of claim 23, wherein the poly(ethylene terephthalate)-co-(1,4-cyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate) comprises 10 to 90 mole percent ethylene terephthalate units and 10 to 90 mole percent 1,4-cyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate units, and further wherein the polyester comprises from 0 to 30 mole percent isophthalate units, based on the total moles of isophthalate and terephthalate units.
 38. The composition of claim 23, further comprising an additive selected from the group consisting of an antioxidant, heat stabilizer, light stabilizer, ultraviolet light absorber, plasticizer, mold release agent, lubricant, antistatic agent, pigment, dye, gamma stabilizer, or a combination thereof.
 39. The composition of claim 23, further comprising a quencher, wherein the quencher is selected from the group consisting of zinc phosphate, mono zinc phosphate, phosphorous acid, phosphoric acid diluted in water, sodium acid pyrophosphate, tetrapropyl orthosilicate, tetrakis-(2-methoxyethoxy) silane), sodium lauryl sulphate, boric acid, citric acid, oxalic acid, a cyclic iminoether containing compound, and a combination thereof.
 40. A composition comprising from 5 to 90 weight percent poly(isophthalate-terephthalate-resorcinol ester)-co-(bisphenol-A carbonate); from 10 to 75 weight percent poly(ethylene terephthalate); and from 1 to 40 weight percent poly(1,4-butylene terephthalate); wherein all weight percents are based on the total weight of the composition; and further wherein an article molded from the composition has a percent haze value of less than or equal to 10 percent, and a total luminous transmittance value of greater than or equal to 70 percent, each measured according to ASTM D1003-00.
 41. A composition comprising from 5 to 90 weight percent poly(isophthalate-terephthalate-resorcinol ester)-co-(bisphenol-A carbonate); from 1 to 30 weight percent poly(ethylene terephthalate); and from 10 to 85 weight percent poly(ethylene terephthalate)-co-poly(1,4-cyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate); wherein the poly(ethylene terephthalate)-co-poly(1,4-cyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate) comprises from 10 to 30 mole percent ethylene terephthalate units and from 70 to 90 mole percent 1,4-cyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate units; wherein all weight percents are based on the total weight of the composition; and further wherein an article molded from the composition has a percent haze value of less than or equal to 10 percent, and a total luminous transmittance value of greater than or equal to 70 percent, each measured according to ASTM D1003-00.
 42. The composition of claim 41, further comprising a quencher, wherein the quencher is selected from the group consisting of zinc phosphate, mono zinc phosphate, phosphorous acid, phosphoric acid diluted in water, sodium acid pyrophosphate, tetrapropyl orthosilicate, tetrakis-(2-methoxyethoxy) silane), sodium lauryl sulphate, boric acid, citric acid, oxalic acid, a cyclic iminoether containing compound, and a combination thereof.
 43. A composition comprising from 70 to 90 weight percent poly(isophthalate-terephthalate-resorcinol ester)-co-(bisphenol-A carbonate); from 1 to 20 weight percent poly(ethylene terephthalate); and from 1 to 20 weight percent poly(1,4-cyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate); wherein all weight percents are based on the total weight of the composition; and further wherein an article molded from the composition has a percent haze value of less than or equal to 10 percent, and a total luminous transmittance value of greater than or equal to 70 percent, each measured according to ASTM D1003-00.
 44. The composition of claim 43, further comprising a quencher, wherein the quencher is selected from the group consisting of zinc phosphate, mono zinc phosphate, phosphorous acid, phosphoric acid diluted in water, sodium acid pyrophosphate, tetrapropyl orthosilicate, tetrakis-(2-methoxyethoxy) silane), sodium lauryl sulphate, boric acid, citric acid, oxalic acid, a cyclic iminoether containing compound, and a combination thereof.
 45. A method of forming a composition comprising melt blending the components of the composition of claim
 1. 46. The method of claim 45, further comprising shaping, extruding, or molding the melt blended composition.
 47. The method of claim 45, further comprising molding the melt blended composition.
 48. An article comprising the composition of claim
 1. 49. The article of claim 48, wherein the article is a fiber, film, or sheet.
 50. A molded article comprising the composition of claim
 23. 51. A molded article comprising the composition of claim
 40. 52. A molded article comprising the composition of claim
 41. 53. A molded article comprising the composition of claim
 43. 54. A composition comprising from 5 to 90 weight percent poly(isophthalate-terephthalate-resorcinol ester)-co-(bisphenol-A carbonate); from 5 to 85 weight percent poly(ethylene terephthalate); and from 5 to 85 weight percent poly(ethylene terephthalate)-co-poly(1,4-cyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate), wherein the poly(ethylene terephthalate)-co-poly(1,4-cyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate) comprises from 60 to 80 mole percent ethylene terephthalate units and from 20 to 40 mole percent 1,4-cyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate units; wherein all weight percents are based on the total weight of the composition; and further wherein an article molded from the composition has a percent haze value of less than or equal to 10 percent, and a total luminous transmittance value of greater than or equal to 70 percent, each measured according to ASTM D1003-00.
 55. A molded article comprising the composition of claim
 54. 